Monthly Archives: December 2025

Ag Law Year in Review – Texas

Posted on by

As we move toward the end of 2025, we love to take a look back at some of the key agricultural law issues in Texas over the last 365 days.  If you missed our nationwide year in review post, click here.  So, what are some of the biggest ag law issues in the Lone Star State in 2025? Texas Supreme Court Rules in Produced Water Case; Second Case Filed. There is nowhere else to start but with produced water.  The Texas Supreme Court decision in Cactus Water Services v. COG… Read More →

December 19, 2025 Weekly Round Up

Posted on by

The time has come for our final weekly round up of 2025!  While many of us are slowing down for the holiday, agricultural news is not.  Let’s get caught up on some of the biggest stories in the news over the past few weeks. *State of Texas sues Xcel Energy over Smokehouse Creek Fire.  Texas has filed suit against Xcel Energy seeking over $1 billion in losses as a result of the Smokehouse Creek Fire.  The lawsuit claims the fire, which burned over 1 million acres, was started by… Read More →

Ag Law Year in Review – National

Posted on by

Once again, it has been a busy year in agricultural law.  There was so much to choose from, narrowing the list down to the top 10 issues proved challenging.  With that caveat, here is our list of the top national legal issues for 2025. For those of you that prefer an audio option, much of this is discussed in our Ag Law in the Field Podcast Year in Review episode that will be available later this week! Congress Passed Permanent Increase to Lifetime Exemption for Estate Taxes In… Read More →

Does Agritourism Hinder or Promote Farmland Preservation?

Posted on by

I recently co-authored an article for Southern Ag Today with my friend, Jesse Richardson, on an interesting case out of Michigan.  While the case involved questions about zoning, it raised interesting policy questions about how best to preserve farmland and balance that desire with the economic benefits agritourism can provide. Read our article here.

Motorcycle v. Cow Collision Results in Lawsuit

Posted on by

The Eastland Court of Appeals recently issued an opinion in Mullins v. McWhirter, a case involving the liability of a cattle owner when her cow was hit by a motorcyclist on the highway.  [Read Opinion here.] Background Rowdy Escobar was driving his motorcycle down U.S. Highway 84 in Coleman County.  About 1:30 am, he was killed when his motorcycle struck a black cow owned by Charlotte Mullins on the highway. At the time of the accident, Charlotte leased land west of Highway 84 and had 47 cows on the… Read More →